"Looking back now, what we did was incredible," sighed Midoriya.
"Yeah…" said Todoroki.
The three of us had spent the night at Hosu general in a closed off ward. I had been in surgery for my arms and found my two compatriots sleeping soundly when I returned.
"And after that last-ditch effort, I'd say it's a miracle we're still alive," he concluded. "And with my leg, if he'd wanted to kill me, he easily could've."
"Yeah. He definitely let us live," Todoroki said, then turned to me. "But you. Even with him coming at you with all that bloodlust, you still stood up to him. Impressive. I came to save you, but ended up needing your help. Sorry."
"Not at all," I replied, "It's not like that. I…"
I was interrupted by a knock at the door. Manual stood there, alongside Midoriya's mentor, alongside a very tall man in a black suit.
"Ooh, the little wounded warriors are awake," said Gran Torino, Midoriya's mentor.
"Gran Torino!" He exclaimed.
"And Manual," I added.
"I'm still gonna chew you out," said Gran Torino to Midoriya, "but before that, you've got a visitor."
I stood up with Todoroki to greet them; Midoriya, with his injured leg, stayed seated.
"This is Mr. Kenji Tsuragamae, Hosu's chief of police," announced Torino.
"Tsuragamae? Ch-chief?!" stuttered Midoriya.
"Please, stay seated, woof," said the officer, whose head resembled a dog's. "So you're the UA students who put a stop to the hero killer, woof.
"As for the hero killer, he's currently in treatment for his burns, broken bones, and a number of other serious injuries, woof. At the dawn of this extraordinary era, the police moved to prioritize leadership and to maintain the status quo, so they decided not to use quirks as weapons. That's when heroes came along to fill that void, woof. Authorizing the use of such might, these powers that could so very easily kill, was a heavily criticized decision at first, but it would garner public support. All because your predecessors acted morally and complied with the laws, woof. But those without permission, those who inflicted harm without explicit instruction from the police and powers that be, even if they were to face someone like the hero killer…such action would represent a stunning breach of the law, woof. You three, as well as your pro hero mentors - Endeavor, Manual, Gran Torino, the six of you must be dealt with strictly and impartially."
My friends are to be punished for my actions…
"Hold on a minute," Todoroki snapped, suddenly infuriated.
"If Iida hadn't acted, Native would've been killed. And if Midoriya hadn't shown up, both of them would be dead. Nobody even knew the hero killer was in town. Should we have let people die all in the name of your 'law'? Everything turned out just fine, so forget about the law this time!"
"Whoa, whoa!" said Midoriya
"Isn't it a hero's job to save people?!" Todoroki went on.
"Clearly, you've much to learn. Some education you're getting, woof, from UA and Endeavor.
"You damn mutt!" Todoroki was unstoppably angry.
"Stop, this is serious!" I cried to Torino held up a hand as well.
"Wait, just listen to what he's got to say."
"All of that is what I'm obligated to tell you, as the police," continued the Chief, as if I hadn't said anything. "The real question is whether or not to deal with this issue publicly, woof. If we let the story out, you'd all be lauded by the public, but you wouldn't be able to avoid punishment. But if we keep this to ourselves, the hero killer's burns would support the story that Endeavor was the key operative. He'll receive the accolades, woof. Fortunately, the number of eyewitnesses was small enough that we can hush up this whole matter before it causes problems, woof. But in that case, your decisive action and achievements will remain unknown to the public. What do you say?! I'm an understanding man. So when it comes to a promising group of young people. I'd rather not have to pursue charges over this admittedly massive indiscretion, woof."
"Either way, our negligence is to blame. We have to take responsibility," said Manual, hanging his head. I hurried over to him.
"I'm so very sorry."
"Yeah," said Manual, chiding me by bobbing my head. "You caused big trouble for your mentor, so don't do it again!"
"Thanks for everything," I choked out.
"The world's an unfair place. You'll receive none the commendations that you might have otherwise, but at least, as someone invested in keeping the peace,I can thank you." And be bowed back to us.
"You could've led with that," grumbled Todoroki.
Midoriya went out to phone Uraraka, and while he was gone, the doctors arrived…to give me my results.
As I sat in silence with Todoroki, the door opened and Midoriya rejoined us.
"Ah, Iida! I just got off the phone with Uraraka, and - "
"Midoriya," interrupted Todoroki . "Iida just got his diagnosis."
I took a deep breath. I could barely look Midoriya in the eye. "My left hand could have permanent damage. Both of my arms were badly injured, but my left got the worst of it. He severed something called the brachial plexus nerve. But they said that I might regain most of the feeling and use of my hand and fingers if I receive a nerve transplant." I sighed. I'd had time to think about it since. "When I found the hero killer, my mind went blank. I should have told Manual before doing anything else. I may hate him, but he wasn't wrong. So, until I succeed in becoming a true hero, my left hand will serve as a reminder."
Midoriya then spoke up. "Iida. I feel the same way. Let's get stronger, together." He held out his hand to fist bump me. I reached out my good hand to acknowledge it. Together.
"I'm sorry," sighed Todoroki. We both turned to him.
"For what?" asked Midoriya.
"Whenever I'm involved," he said slowly, "it feels like people's hands get messed up. Is it a curse?"
There was a pause of a few minutes, and them Midoriya and I both burst into laughter.
"What on earth are you talking about?!" we chorused at him. "Looks like even Todoroki knows how to make a joke."
"I'm not joking. Just call me the hand crusher."
"The hand crusher!"
The sounds of our laughter echoed throughout the room.